Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, and has yet to connect with President Joe Biden, who she said had reached out. She said she spoke with state leaders, including Sens.

She will take over at a tumultuous time, trying to rebuild relationships with the Legislature that were in tatters with Cuomo and guide the state through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hochul lives in Buffalo and will also be the first governor from outside the New York City area since Nathan Miller of Cortland County was elected in 1920. 'I think it's pretty clear the governor and I have not been close, physically or otherwise,' she said. But she and Cuomo were never believed to be close: She was not among his close advisers, and did not have a seat at the table during his daily coronavirus briefings. In her role, she criss-crossed the state touting Cuomo's agenda. Hochul, 62, has been lieutenant governor since 2015. She said she was unaware of the allegations prior to the report and declined to say whether the Assembly Judiciary Committee should continue its impeachment investigation into Cuomo, saying it is up to the Legislature. 'No one will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment,' she said. She said Cuomo's two-week grace period was not her decision, but she pledged to use the time to make key hirings for senior staff members and state commissioners.

Hochul, speaking for about 20 minutes, said she spoke Tuesday to Cuomo, who pledged his support for an orderly transition. 'The promise I make to all New Yorkers, right here and right now: I will fight like hell for you every single day, like I've always done and always will,' Hochul said. Her ascension will be historic: Hochul will be New York's first woman governor. 24 after Cuomo said he would resign in 14 days. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday he would resign amid an ongoing sexual harassment scandal that has engulfed his administration.Ī Buffalo Democrat, Hochul will officially take office Aug. It was her first public appearance since Gov.

Hochul, the state's lieutenant governor, delivered a brief address Wednesday before taking questions from reporters. Kathy Hochul declared herself ready to take over as the state's chief executive, vowing to fight for New York residents and maintain a workplace environment that will never be described as 'toxic.'

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